Renewal Guide - The Commission for Case Manager Certification

Criteria for Certification Renewal
and Continuing Education
ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFYING AGENCIES
Thank you for your patience as we transitioned from the old data system into a new data
system. Please read this document carefully for guidance on how to upload CEs and
important changes to the renewal process, including how post-approval fees are assessed.
Please visit your CCMC Dashboard account to view your online transcript. It will show all
of the courses that you uploaded from the previous data system that are within your current
certification period.
The CCMC Dashboard is best viewed in current versions of Google Chrome and Mozilla
Firefox internet browsers. Internet Explorer has known incompatibilities with the
functionality of the site. Please log in with current versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla
Firefox for the best experience.
CONTENTS
Certification Renewal Program
Guidelines for Renewal
Penalties
Change of Address
Privacy Information
Option 1: Online Renewal Process through Continuing Education Attainment
Continuing Education Requirements
Criteria for Appropriate Continuing Education
Pre-Approved Continuing Education
Online Renewal Process
Focus Areas
Post-Approval of Continuing Education and University Courses
What does “Disable” and “Enable” mean?
Renewal Application and License Upload
Payment and invoicing
Documentation and Audit
Option 2: Renewal through Re-Examination
After Submitting Your Renewal
Late Renewal Requests
Appeals
Retirement Designation
Fees
Contacting CCMC
Frequently Asked Questions
2
Certification Renewal Program
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) believes that individuals CCM® board-certified as
case managers should continue to expand their skills in order to enhance the quality of the services they
provide. CCMC’s certification renewal requirements are designed to encourage case managers to continue
their professional education through courses and other activities that will help them serve their clients more
effectively. The CCMC conducts a job analysis every five years to ensure that the CCM certification and
examination accurately reflect the practice of case management. CCM board-certified case managers are
required to renew their certification every five years to remain current in the field of case management.
The CCMC certification renewal program uses continuing education opportunities to help practitioners
achieve the following goals:
• Obtain information on current trends
• Explore new technologies
• Develop balanced professional judgment and enhance critical skills
• Acquire knowledge in specific focus areas
Guidelines for Renewal
Initial CCM certification is valid for five years. The CCMC certification renewal program allows CCM boardcertified case managers to extend this designation at five-year intervals from the “valid through” date of the
initial certification. There are two renewal options:
Option 1: Documentation of 80 clock hours of approved continuing education
Option 2: Re-examination
It is the CCM board-certified case manager’s responsibility to renew their
certification by the “valid through” date on their certificate.
The entire renewal process is online, and paper renewal applications are no longer available. Online renewal
assistance is available through CCMC Customer Service at ccmchq@ccmcertification.org or 856-380-6836.
Penalties
Completing the CCMC renewal form carries with it an acknowledgment that the information provided by the
applicant is accurate. If CCMC subsequently learns that a certification was granted on the basis of false,
misleading, or inaccurate information, it has the right to revoke or suspend that certification. CCMC also
reserves the right to suspend or revoke a certification upon proof that an individual has violated the CCMC
Code of Professional Conduct.
Failure to renew your certification will result in the expiration of your certified status. Should you fail to renew
your certification, you are required to reapply, meet all CURRENT standards, and achieve a passing score on
the certification exam. Individuals who use the CCM designation or who otherwise represent
themselves as being certified without first having fulfilled these requirements may be denied
recertification. Such individuals may also be subject to legal actions.
Change of Address
CCM board-certified case managers can change their contact information at any time by logging into their
dashboards at “CCMC DASHBOARD” on the CCMC website.
Privacy Information
Information submitted as part of the application, certification, and certification renewal processes becomes the
property of the Commission and will not be released to outside parties unless authorized by the individual or
3
unless required by law. Individual score reports are released to the candidate and are not released to any
institution or employer. For research and statistical purposes only, data resulting from the certification or
certification renewal process may be used in an anonymous/unidentifiable manner.
The Commission provides a database listing all CCM board-certified case managers on its website for the use
of the public for purposes of certification verification. The verification system is designed to allow for quick
verifications but without violating privacy because it only displays name, city/state and CCM valid through
date. To opt out of this public database, please contact CCMC Customer Service at
ccmchq@ccmcertification.org or 856-380-6836.
The Commission also verifies certification status by phone on request. Personal information (anything
excluding name, city/state and CCM valid through date) is not released without explicit authorization from the
specific CCM board-certified case manager.
4
OPTION ONE: Online Renewal Process through Continuing Education Attainment
Continuing Education Requirements
CCMC is committed to facilitating the professional development of its CCM board-certified case managers
and has instituted the following requirements, which allow the flexibility to create a more personal experience
for self-development.
To ensure that CCM board-certified case managers maintain their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field,
CCMC requires that the 80 hours be taken in the focus areas (see “Focus Areas” later in this guide) that are
found on the certification exam and which are continually validated through ongoing role and function studies.
Criteria for Appropriate Continuing Education
To qualify for approval as continuing education, a program must meet the following criteria:
•
•
•
•
•
•
It must be at least one hour long.
It must be held in an accessible, barrier-free location so that no individual with a disability would be
excluded from taking part. (Reference: Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as needed).
It must include an evaluation by the participants to assess its effectiveness.
The purpose of the program must be clearly defined in terms of its objectives or expected outcomes.
It must be designed to increase the participant’s knowledge or skill regarding the practice of case
management in one or more of the focus areas listed in this guide.
It must fall within your current 5-year renewal period.
Pre-Approved Continuing Education
CCMC has a process whereby sponsors of workshops, seminars, and the like can obtain pre-approval of their
training programs.
If a sponsor has received pre-approval for a program, CCM board-certified case manager attendees will be
given appropriate documentation verifying pre-approval. Pre-approved courses can be entered into individual
online transcripts at no extra cost.
To verify that a program has obtained pre-approval from CCMC, contact the program sponsor directly.
CCMC does not publish lists of pre-approved continuing education.
One clock hour is equivalent to 60 minutes of instruction or participation. Clock hour credit is not given for
social hours, coffee breaks, or meals during which instruction is not provided.
Online Renewal Process
The online renewal system is activated approximately 3 months before the renewal dates of May 31 and
November 30, and is best viewed in current versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
5
Step 1
CCM board-certified case managers can log into their dashboard through “CCMC DASHBOARD” on the
CCMC website at www.ccmcertification.org to access their account to upload CEs into their online transcript.
The login is the individual’s CCM number and passwords are generally the last four digits of each person’s
social security number (unless a different password has already been created by the CCM board-certified
case manager). To reset your password, visit “CCMC Dashboard” via www.ccmcertification.org .
This is a sample transcript:
Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Certificate Number:
Your Certificate Start Date:
Your Renewal Date:
YOUR Renewal Date, and how many CEs you need to renew HERE
6
Do not mail, fax or email your CE verification forms to CCMC. They will be sent back to you.
Step 2
Any pre-approved courses you previously uploaded into your transcript before the data transition will
show in your transcript now.
To upload a pre-approved course, click on the “Pre-Approval” button at the bottom of your transcript
page and enter the data requested, as shown in the below screen grab:
• Activity code (found on your certificate of completion). If your certificate does not have one,
enter the Approval number
• Approval number (found on your certificate of completion).
• Date of class (in mm/dd/yyyy format)
• Title of class
• Credits
The “Title of Class” and “Credits” fields may auto-populate, but if it doesn’t, please enter all
information on your own. If you attended part of a course that auto-populates and need to enter a different
credit amount, please contact CCMC Customer Service at ccmchq@ccmcertification.org or 856-380-6836.
When you click on “Add this Course, I have the certificate of completion” it will be added to your
transcript automatically. You cannot delete a course from your transcript once it has been uploaded.
All 80 CEs must be obtained during the CCM board-certified case manager’s current 5-year renewal period
and must fall within the focus areas described in this guide. Additional CEs uploaded to your transcript will
NOT be carried over into your next renewal cycle.
CCMC strongly encourages all CCM board-certified case managers submit CEs into their online transcript as
they are earned.
Documentation of continuing education MUST be kept for ONE YEAR PAST the “valid through” date on
your CCM Certificate. In the event a CCM board-certified case manager is selected for a random audit of
7
transcripts, this documentation will be requested. Copies of continuing education documentation (except for
transcripts and/or grade reports) should be used as they will not be returned.
Step 3
Once a minimum of 80 CEs have been entered, and it’s within 3 months of your renewal date, the “Submit
Renewal” button on the bottom of your transcript will be activated. This will lead you to the renewal
application, which must be completed, and a copy of the CCM board-certified case manager’s current and
unrestricted license or certification allowing for independent practice, must be uploaded. Instructions for
uploading the license are included in the online renewal form.
Step 4
CCM board-certified case managers submit payment for renewal and any post-approval fees once all renewal
requirements have been completed. For more information on post-approval, please see the Post-Approval of
Continuing Education section later in this guide. Post-approval fees are automatically calculated by the
system. These fees are nonrefundable. Please see the fee schedule at the end of this guide for current fees.
REMEMBER: There is no additional cost when uploading pre-approved courses to your
online transcript.
REMEMBER: Check your “CCMC DASHBOARD” to confirm their status of your renewal.
Focus Areas
Please refer to the following focus areas when developing your personalized plan for maintaining your
knowledge, skills, and abilities through continuing education.
Psychosocial Aspects
Abuse and neglect (e.g., emotional, psychological, physical, financial)
Multicultural issues as they relate to health behavior
Psychological and neuropsychological assessment
Psychosocial aspects of chronic illness and disability
Self care management (e.g., self advocacy, self-directed care, informed decision making)
Health coaching
Spirituality as it relates to health behavior
Substance use, abuse, and addiction
Support programs (e.g., support groups, pastoral counseling, disease-based organizations, bereavement
counseling)
Wellness and illness prevention concepts and strategies
Behavioral health and psychiatric disability concepts
Community resources (e.g., elder care services, fraternal/religious organizations, government programs, meal
delivery services, pharmacy assistance programs)
Crisis intervention strategies
Change theories and stages
Dual diagnoses
End of life issues (e.g., hospice, withdrawal of care, Do Not Resuscitate)
Family dynamics
Health literacy assessment
Healthcare Reimbursement
Cost containment principles
8
Financial resources (e.g., viatical settlements)
Healthcare insurance principles
Managed care concepts and rules for reimbursement
Private benefit programs (e.g., pharmacy benefits management; indemnity; employer-sponsored health coverage;
individual-purchased insurance; home care benefits, COBRA)
Prospective payment systems and rules for reimbursement
Public benefit programs (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, CHAMPVA)
Resources for the uninsured or underinsured
Utilization management
Rehabilitation
Work adjustment, transitional employment, and work hardening
Workers' compensation
Assessment of physical functioning
Disability compensation systems (e.g., workers' compensation, long-term disability)
Assistive devices
Ergonomics and assistive technologies
Functional capacity evaluation
Job analysis, job modification, and job accommodation
Job development and placement
Vocational aspects of chronic illness and disability
Healthcare Management and Delivery
Alternative care facilities (e.g., assisted living, group homes, residential treatment facilities)
Management of acute and chronic illness and disability
Medical home model
Medication therapy management and reconciliation
Models of care
Palliative care and symptom management
Rehabilitation service delivery systems
Roles and functions of other providers
Transitions of care
Continuum of care
Critical pathways, standards of care, practice guidelines including the average duration of treatment associated with
various conditions and disabilities
Healthcare delivery systems
Chronic Care Model
Healthcare providers including vendors available in the community
Interdisciplinary care team (ICT)
Levels of care
Principles of Practice
Accreditation standards and requirements
Ethics (e.g., advocacy, experimental treatments and protocols, end of life, refusal of treatment/services,
professional conduct)
9
Health care and disability related legislation (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]; Occupational Safety and
Health Administration [OSHA] regulations; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA])
Legal and regulatory requirements
Risk management
Standards of practice
Quality indicators (e.g., core measures of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], Utilization review
Accreditation Commission [URAC], National Committee for Quality Assurance [NCQA], National Quality Forum
[NQF], Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ])
Confidentiality
Case Management Concepts
Goals and objectives of case management practice
Interpersonal communication (e.g., group dynamics; relationship building)
Interview techniques
Management strategies for clients with multiple co-morbidities
Roles and functions of case managers in various settings
Negotiation techniques
Cost-benefit analysis
Data interpretation and reporting
Program evaluation and research methods (e.g., outcome, satisfaction)
Case recording and documentation
Quality and performance improvement concepts
Conflict resolution strategies
Factors used to identify acuity or severity levels
Case load calculation
Case management models
Case management process and tools
10
Post-Approval of Continuing Education
CCMC will also review for approval continuing education activities for individuals on a post-attendance basis.
Such activities may include (but are not limited to) workshops, seminars, university courses, and similar
activities.
IMPORTANT: To better reflect industry norms, effective May 1, 2012, the price structure for postapproved and University courses changed to $15 per course. This fee applies to all post-approved
courses uploaded into the new system. At the time of submission you will be invoiced for these fees
as they are uploaded into your dashboard. Payment for these fees will be due at the time of your
renewal.
Any post-approved or University courses that were uploaded into your dashboard prior to May 1, 2012 will
show in your transcript but will be manually invoiced. These post approved courses will be assessed fees
based on the previous fee structure, $15 per course up to $50 per calendar year.
After logging into your dashboard, upload post approved courses by clicking on the “Post Approval”
button at the bottom of your transcript page and enter the data requested, as shown in the below
screen grab:
• Program title
• Location
• Clock hours requested
• Program date (in mm/dd/yyyy format)
• The category the course that most accurately describes the activity that you completed (Home
study/internet, multi-day conference, seminar/workshop)
• The primary focus area that describes the content of your CE activity (Healthcare
reimbursement, case management concepts, principles of practice, psychosocial aspects,
rehabilitation, or vocational rehabilitation (prior to 2009 only).
• Description of how the activity relates to the domain focus
• ** Acknowledgement of $15 non-refundable fee which will be assessed when you upload each
post-approved course taken after May 1, 2012
o Courses prior to May 1, 2012 will be charged post-approval fees based on the old fee
structure, $15 per course up to $50 per calendar year.
11
Review of post approved courses incurs a non-refundable fee at the time of submission. You cannot
delete a course from your transcript once it has been uploaded.
Post approved courses will appear as NONAPP in your transcript after they are uploaded.
University/College Courses
CCMC will review university or college courses for approval. Credits are awarded as follows:
One academic credit per semester = 15 CEs.
One academic credit per quarter semester = 10 CEs.
When entering the credits awarded, your dashboard will adjust to reflect the correct amount of CEs.
After logging into your dashboard, upload university/college courses by clicking on “University” at
the bottom of your transcript page and enter the data requested, as shown below in the screen grab:
12
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Course Name
Start Date (in mm/dd/yyyy format)
End date (in mm/dd/yyyy format)
Course duration (Quarter hour, semester hour)
Credits earned
The primary focus area that describes the content of your CE activity (Healthcare
reimbursement, case management concepts, principles of practice, psychosocial aspects,
rehabilitation, or vocational rehabilitation (prior to 2009 only).
Description of how the activity relates to the domain focus chosen above
** Acknowledgement of the $15 non-refundable fee, which will be assessed when you upload
each post-approved or university course
o Courses that transferred over from the old system will be charged post-approval fees
based on the old fee structure, $15 per course up to $50 per calendar year.
Review of post approved courses incurs a non-refundable fee at the time of submission. You cannot
delete a course from your transcript once it has been uploaded.
13
Renewal Application and License Upload
If it is within 90 days of your renewal and you have met the 80 CE requirement, you will be able to process
your renewal.
Please log into your CCMC Dashboard account to view your transcript, scroll to the bottom of your transcript
and click on the button that says “Submit Renewal” which will bring you to the next step in the renewal
process. Once you have started your application, this button will say “Review/Resume Renewal” if you do not
complete it in the same session that you start it.
If you do not see this button, you have 80 CEs and it is within 90 days of your renewal, please log in
using a different internet browser (current versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are
recommended). Here is what the renewal application looks like:
e
14
In the renewal application, you will be asked to enter your professional license information. This is not
referring to your CCM credential. To be eligible for renewal, you must hold a:
1. Current, active, and unrestricted licensure or certification in a health or human services discipline that
within its scope of practice allows the professional to conduct an assessment independently.
OR
2. Baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work, nursing, or another health or human services field that
promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of the persons being served.
The degree must be from an institution that is fully accredited by a nationally recognized educational
accreditation organization, and the individual must have completed a supervised field experience in case
management, health, or behavioral health as part of the degree requirements.1
To complete your application, you need to upload a scanned copy of your professional
license/certification or Attestation of Degree Form to your application. If you don't have a scanner, you
can go to your local Staples, Office Max or Kinkos to make a scan. Your local library may also have a scanner
that you can use. You can also take a photo of your license with a camera phone or digital camera and
upload that into your application.
If your licensing body does not issue a paper license for you to scan, please upload an electronic copy of the
proof of licensure you would provide an employer.
Once you respond to all of the questions, upload a copy of your license and submit payment, your application
for renewal will be submitted for review. To check on the status of your application, please log into your
CCMC Dashboard account.
Payment and Invoicing
At the time of your renewal, payment of the renewal fee and any newly uploaded post-approval courses will
be due, payable only by credit card.
If you have post-approval courses in your transcript that transferred from the old system, you will be
invoiced for these separately after you submit for your renewal, payable only by credit card.
Your renewal is not complete until payment of all fees is submitted.
1
Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Standards of Practice for Case Management
15
Documentation and Audit
CCMC requires CCM board-certified case managers maintain documentation of participation in all continuing
education activities submitted for renewal. These files should be kept by all CCM board-certified case
managers for ONE YEAR PAST THE “VALID THROUGH” DATE on their current certificate.
CCM board-certified case managers may be asked to submit this documentation by CCMC as part of
regularly scheduled random audits of transcripts or upon the submission of a late renewal request or late
renewal appeal (as described later in this guide.)
REMEMBER: Any required supporting documentation of continuing education will not be
returned after submission.
Documentation considered appropriate for various types of learning activities is listed below:
Workshops, seminars, conferences,
in-service training programs
Certificate of attendance or letter from sponsor stating CCM boardcertified case manager has completed the program, dates of
completion, and number of CEs awarded. Program agendas may also
be requested in case of audit.
Home studies, distance learning
courses, webinars
Certificate of attendance or letter from sponsor stating CCM boardcertified case manager has completed the program, dates of
completion, and number of CEs awarded. Program agendas may also
be requested in case of audit.
College or university courses
Copy of official transcript or original grade report that documents
credits earned. One academic semester = 15 CEs. One academic
quarter = 10 CEs. Course description may also be requested if you are
selected for a renewal audit. If a college/university course is audit-only
(not taken for credit), then documentation indicating actual attendance
hours such as a statement from the instructor on university letterhead
must be provided.
Development of curriculum
List of reference materials used to develop the information, and a copy
of the course syllabus and a letter of verification from the chair of the
program stating that the CCM board-certified case managers
developed the curriculum, including the dates of development.
Development of articles, books, and
chapters in books
List of reference materials used to develop the information and a copy
of the information you developed (must be the complete publication)
stating published dates. If contributing editor, a letter from the main
editor must be included as well, attesting to the CCM board-certified
case manager’s level of participation in the publication.
Development of presentations and
in-service training programs
List of reference materials used to develop the presentation, outline of
the presentation, and a copy of the printed program that lists the CCM
board-certified case manager as the presenter and states the length of
presentation. Credit is given on a one-time-only basis for the learning
experience, which is the research and development, not for the
presentation itself. As a rule, the number of clock hours awarded will
be twice the number spent making the presentation (i.e. a two-hour
presentation would generally merit four hours of credit, or 4 CEs).
Research/Independent study
List of source materials and a copy of the research findings.
16
OPTION 2: Renewal through Re-examination
To renew certification through re-examination, you must:
1. Notify CCMC Customer Service at 856-380-6836 or ccmchq@ccmcertification.org before the last
day of the exam application window before your renewal.
Example: if your renewal is due in November, you must notify CCMC of your intentions to
renew through exam no later than the last day of the August exam application window. Please
visit http://ccmcertification.org/faqs/certification/certification/exam-application-scheduleandnotification-timeline for the current application window schedule.
a. If a CCM board-certified case manager does not exercise the re-examination option before
the “valid through” date on his or her certificate, the CCM designation will expire.
Individuals with expired CCM designations are not permitted to resume using the CCM
credential until they have successfully applied for and passed the examination.
2. Complete a manual renewal forms and fax in a copy of your qualifying license, certification or
degree.
3. Pay the renewal fee of $199.00 along with the exam fee of $185.00
a. If you are testing outside of your expiration date, example, your renewal is due in
November and you are testing in December, you must pay the $90.00 Late Renewal fee.
4. Schedule exam, and achieve a passing score on the exam
After testing:
If you do not pass the exam the first time you take it, you may qualify to retake the exam, pending
that you are still within your initial eligibility. The retake MUST be scheduled for the next
available exam cycle and a retake fee of $185.00 must be paid. You can schedule your retake by calling
customer service at 856-380-6836.
If you are unable to retake the exam in the next available cycle or you do not achieve a passing score
on your retake, your credential will be expired. You will then need to complete and submit a new
application and pay all fees in place at the time.
Renewal certificates are mailed approximately 1 month after the testing date. Your renewal certificate
will show the dates of your new certification period. So if you renewed in May 2015, your new certification
period will be starting on 6/1/2015 and valid through 5/31/2020.
After Submitting Renewal Application
When you submit your renewal, you’ll see you’re my CCMC Dashboard account will show your renewal
application is in “Ready to Review” status. This means, your application has been submitted and is in queue
to be reviewed.
You will be contacted directly if CCMC needs anything else to review your application.
Renewal applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You can expect to be notified via email and via CCMC
Dashboard when your renewal has processed, please check your CCMC Dashboard account often for
updates.
17
Renewal certificates are mailed approximately 1 month after the renewal deadline. Your renewal certificate
will show the dates of your new certification period. So if you renewed in May 2012, your new certification
period will be starting on 6/1/2012 and valid through 5/31/2017.
LATE RENEWAL REQUESTS
CCMC will accept and review formal late renewal requests submitted within the first 30 days after the
“valid through” date printed on an individual’s current certificate. In order to be considered for a late
renewal, the CCM board-certified case manager must have the following:
1. Documentation of completion of at least 80 hours of continuing education (as described in detail
in this guide). All CEs must be completed before the expiration date.
2. Current, active, and unrestricted licensure or certification in a health or human services discipline
that within its scope of practice allows the professional to conduct an assessment independently.
AND/OR
Baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work, nursing, or another health or human services
field that promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of the persons being
served.
The degree must be from an institution that is fully accredited by a nationally recognized
educational accreditation organization, and the individual must have completed a supervised field
experience in case management, health, or behavioral health as part of the degree
requirements.2
3. A clear and compelling reason -- that can be documented – for having missed the renewal
deadline.
Making a Late Renewal Request
Initial contact regarding submission of a late renewal request should be made through CCMC Customer
Service at ccmchq@ccmcertification.org or 856-380-6836. If a CCM board-certified case manager is within
the initial 30 day period, they will be asked to complete and submit a late renewal request form with
documentation of the above items.
Late renewal requests submitted after 30 days past the “valid through” date on the certificate are considered
denied without review.
If a request is approved, the CCM board-certified case manager will be asked to pay the standard renewal fee
plus an additional administrative fee for processing the late request (see fee schedule). A renewal certificate
will be issued, back-dated to the date of expiration, and the individual will be able to resume use of the CCM
designation.
Please note the following are NOT considered compelling reasons for late renewal:
1. No receipt of notification of renewal deadline
2. Lack of awareness of renewal deadline or process
The purpose of the late renewal request process is to grant consideration to those individuals
who were prohibited by circumstances beyond their control from completing their certification
2
Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Standards of Practice for Case Management
18
renewal within the scheduled timeframe. It is not intended as a convenience for individuals who
have not taken appropriate steps to maintain the integrity and high standards of the CCM
designation.
The late renewal request process can take 2 – 4 months to complete. Individuals who seek to become
reinstated as CCM board-certified case managers should take this into consideration when deciding whether
to submit a late renewal request or exercise the re-examination option.
APPEALS
CCMC’s appeals process is available to any CCM board-certified case manager who believes that CCMC
inaccurately, inconsistently, or unfairly applied the criteria for certification renewal.
The appeals process is designed to provide:
1.
Complete review of the facts at issue
2. A second, independent evaluation of the material presented to document the CCM board-certified
case manager’s eligibility for certification renewal
3. Due process
4. Fair, consistent application of the criteria for renewal and continuing education
Requesting an Appeal
At the time a CCM board-certified case manager is informed that their certification renewal has been denied
(including late renewal requests), he or she will also receive information about his or her right to appeal as
well as the procedures and instructions and time schedules for making such appeals.
Initial contact should be made with CCMC Customer Service at ccmchq@ccmcertification.org or 856-3806836. Customer Service will provide a formal appeal form to be completed and returned to the Customer
Service. Appellants are asked to submit the following, along with the appeal form:
1. Documentation of completion of at least 80 hours of continuing education (as described in detail
in this guide)
2. Current, active, and unrestricted licensure or certification in a health or human services discipline
that within its scope of practice allows the professional to conduct an assessment independently.
AND/OR
Baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work, nursing, or another health or human services
field that promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of the persons being
served.
The degree must be from an institution that is fully accredited by a nationally recognized
educational accreditation organization, and the individual must have completed a supervised field
experience in case management, health, or behavioral health as part of the degree
requirements.3
3. If appealing for late renewal: clear and compelling reason -- that can be documented – for not
having renewed their certification by the through date printed on their certificate.
3
Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Standards of Practice for Case Management
19
An Appeals Task Force will be called together to decide on your appeal. If a request is approved, appellants
will be asked to pay the standard renewal fee plus an additional administrative fee for processing the appeal.
A renewal certificate will be issued, back-dated to the date of expiration, and CCM board-certified case
managers will be able to resume use of the CCM designation.
Please note the following are NOT considered compelling reasons for approval of renewal appeal:
1. No receipt of notification of renewal deadline
2. Lack of awareness of renewal deadline or process
None of the members of the Appeals Task Force will have taken part in the initial decision-making process to
evaluate the renewal documentation in the appellant’s file, thus ensuring a second, objective review.
If the certificant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Appeals Task Force, the case may be directed to the
full membership of the Commission. However, requests for such appeals must be sent to the commission, in
writing, within 30 days of the decision by the Appeals Task Force. Inquiries regarding submitting an appeal to
the full commission can be made by contacting CCMC Customer Service at 856-380-6836 or
ccmchq@ccmcertification.org.
20
RETIREMENT DESIGNATION
CCM board-certified case managers who are retiring from active practice may choose the retirement
designation, which changes the CCM certification to an honorary designation. CCM/Retired status enables
the individual to stay on CCMC’s email list to receive updates from the field of case management. Please see
the fee schedule at the end of this guide for current retirement status fees.
If an individual’s retirement status changes and he or she wishes to regain use of the CCM certification, he or
she would need to reapply, meet the criteria in effect at the time of re-application, and achieve a passing
score on the certification examination.
If an individual believes that he or she may provide consulting or other services in the future using
their CCM certification, he or she should NOT select the retirement designation, but should continue
to maintain the CCM certification.
21
FEES
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FEES ARE PAYABLE BY CREDIT CARD ONLY. Personal and/or company
checks, money orders, etc., will not be accepted as payment. All fees are non-refundable unless noted
otherwise.
Standard Fees
Renewal through Continuing Education
This fee must be submitted in full at the time of
renewal. It can be paid on-line with a credit card.
$199
Renewal through Re-Examination
This fee includes $199 for the renewal fee and
$185 for the examination. The examination fee
will be refunded if an individual is ineligible for the exam.
$384
Continuing Education
Fees are assessed for the post-approval of continuing education.
Single program post-approval request
$15
Other Fees
Retirement Status (one-time fee)
$50
Late Renewal Request/Appeal
$90
Replacement Certificate
$30
CONTACTING CCMC
Please remember to include your CCM number on all correspondence with CCMC.
Commission for Case Manager Certification
1120 Route 73, Suite 200
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: 856-380-6836
Fax: 856-439-0525
Email: ccmchq@ccmcertification.org
22
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How often must I renew my certification?
Every five years following the initial credentialing period.
How do I renew my certification?
CCMC offers two options for renewing a certification (both options require license/certification
verification):
Documentation of 80 clock hours of approved continuing education accumulated during the
period of certification and completion of online renewal requirements
Renewal through re-examination, which requires successful completion of the CCM exam
I forgot my password. How can I reset it?
Visit www.ccmcertification.org and click on “CCMC Dashboard” to reset your password.
If I acquire more than 80 clock hours in a 5-year period, can I apply the excess to the next renewal
cycle?
No, since continuing education is intended to keep certificants current with emerging trends and
technologies, it may only fall within your current 5-year cycle.
Is there an advantage to submitting my continuing education credits as I earn them?
Yes! If you submit your credits into your online transcript as you earn them, your dashboard will help
you to keep track of how much approved continuing education you have on file, and how many hours
are still needed prior to the “valid through” date on your current certificate. You will also have the
added benefit of not having to do all of the work at once when the renewal application goes “live” on
the website.
What is approved continuing education?
Any continuing education activity that a certificant wishes to use toward the renewal of his or her
certification must involve one of the focus areas described in this guide and must be above and
beyond your normal job duties.
How will I know if a workshop, seminar, conference, or in-service training session I attend qualifies as
pre-approved continuing education?
Many organizations seek approval of their activities from CCMC. Such approval is given in advance,
and you should simply ask the sponsor of the activity you are considering attending if the activity has
been pre-approved by CCMC. When you complete a pre-approved activity, the sponsor should
provide you with a certificate of participation which includes their CCMC sponsor code and the
activity’s approval number.
Can I get continuing education credit for activities that aren’t pre-approved by CCMC?
Yes! Any continuing education activity that involves a focus area described in this document can be
submitted for approval on a post-attendance basis. The procedure is described in detail in the PostApproval section of this guide. Please note, post-approved courses are assessed a $15 fee at the
time they are uploaded.
How do organizations get pre-approval for their continuing education activities?
23
Any organization that wishes to have its continuing education activities pre-approved by CCMC
should go to the CCMC website at www.ccmcertification.org and click on the “Pre-Approved
Continuing Education” (PACE) logo to access the online application and requirements for submission.
How do I pay for CCMC’s verification of my continuing education that was not pre-approved?
All fees are automatically calculated for you and added to your total at the time of renewal payable
only by credit card.
I have 6 post-approved courses that transferred from the old data system, and 4 post approved
courses I uploaded into the new system. How much do I owe in post approval fees?
For your 6 post-approved courses that transferred from the old data system, you will be invoiced at
the old fee structure ($15 per course up to $50), which would be $50.
For the new post-approved courses you uploaded into the new system, you will be charged $15 each
($60). In total, you will be charged $110 for post-approved courses.
I have 3 post-approved courses from 2010, 5 post-approved courses from 2011 and 1 post-approved
course from 2012 that transferred from the old data system, and 2 post approved courses I uploaded
into the new system. How much do I owe in post approval fees?
For your post-approved courses that transferred from the old data system, you will be invoiced at the
old fee structure ($15 per course up to $50). For 2010, you would be charged $45; for 2011 you
would be charged $50; for 2012 you would be charged $15.
For the new post-approved courses you uploaded into the new system, you will be charged $15 each
($30).
In total, you will be charged $140 for post-approved courses.
I have more credits than I need for my renewal but I already paid for some post-approval courses I
now realize I don’t need. Can I get a refund for the post-approval fees?
All fees are nonrefundable, including the post-approval fees. It’s a good idea to enter your PREAPPROVAL courses first and the post-approval courses only if you need them to make the 80 CE
goal.
Where can I find a listing of pre-approved courses?
You can start with the listing of CE providers on our PACE Provider Directory
http://ccmcertification.org/ccmc_certification. The continuing education provider list is provided by
CCMC® as a service to CCM®s, and is not meant as an endorsement of the programs or services
the organization provides. Please check with the provider to confirm dates of all courses in these
listings.
I mailed in my documentation of continuing education. Why was it mailed back to me?
Certificants no longer submit the paperwork to CCMC for renewal. Please log into your CCMC
Dashboard account to upload your courses. But hold on to those certificates because you may need
to submit copies of them as part of a random audit or if you need to submit a late renewal request or
appeal! (Documentation submitted as part of an audit or late renewal process will NOT be returned.)
The renewal process is completely online now. Can I still renew the old-fashioned way?
24
No. The only way to renew your certification is through the online process. Our customer service
agents are here to help you every step of the way. If you do not have access to a computer, please
call us at 856-380-6836 and we can help!
I forgot to renew my certification! What do I do now?
If you have a reason driven by extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you can submit either
a late renewal request (if within 30 days of your renewal deadline) or a renewal appeal. Keep in mind
that you are still required to meet all of the renewal criteria as outlined in this guide, and you will need
to present and substantiate a thoroughly compelling case for late renewal.
The late renewal request and appeals processes are thorough and time consuming, therefore you
might want to consider the re-examination option outlined in this guide.
I didn’t pass the renewal audit. What are my options?
You may apply for renewal through re-examination. Your renewal fee will be credited to the renewal
through re-examination fees for the next available exam only. Please see the fee schedule for fee
details.
25